Senior Thermal Analyst

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others – with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers – we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply.

The Role

You will lead thermal modeling and simulation efforts for K2's spacecraft, owning the analysis that predicts spacecraft and component temperatures across all mission phases including ground processing, launch, and on-orbit operations. Working closely with Thermal Design Engineers, you will set modeling standards, review junior analysts' work, and be the primary interface between the analysis team and the Thermal Design Engineers who own hardware. This is an analysis and simulation-focused role: you won't be sizing hardware or running TVAC campaigns yourself, but your models will directly inform the engineers who do.

You will partner with design engineers early in the process to ensure manufacturability while building the first prototype, design the build flow, and finalize the process for transition to production.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end orbital thermal models via Thermal Desktop for the spacecraft bus from initial architecture through flight

Work with lead engineers to design active and passive thermal control systems using basic heat transfer and mechanical equations to size lines, pumps, accumulators, cold plates etc.

Lead steady-state and transient thermal analyses across the full worst-case hot/cold mission envelope, including degraded and off-nominal cases

Lead trade studies on thermal control architecture

Define and defend thermal margins at PDR/CDR-level design reviews; present findings directly to program leadership and customers

Drive correlation of thermal models against TVAC and thermal balance test data; lead root-cause investigation when predictions and test disagree

Set modeling standards and best practices for the analysis team; mentor junior/associate thermal analysts

Design and development of heater and cooling systems including control architecture

Setup, commission, and maintain state-of-the-art test stands and instrumentation

Develop data acquisition systems for active and passive thermal control systems

Perform tests on novel pump fluid loop including feed systems, power electronics, and hardware-in-the-loop

Develop testing and control scripts to conduct safe and reliable test campaigns of pump fluid loop and individual components

Own analysis documentation and verification closure packages for customer and internal reviews

Qualifications

5+ years of experience with thermal test experience in a high-rate manufacturing environment

3+ years of experience with sizing and testing fluid systems including pumps, valves, accumulators, heat exchanger, cold plates etc.

Demonstrated experience with data acquisition for thermal and power related applications

Experience with test plan development and execution

Strong experience with thermal and TVAC testing including setup, instrumentation, and troubleshooting

Demonstrated knowledge of NX or AutoCAD is preferred to design test fixtures

Nice to Have

Experience with Thermal Desktop and basic statistical data analysis

Experience with signal conditioning to define optimal acquisition rate and understand when signal-to-noise ratio is not acceptable

Experience with pumps testing

Experience with avionics testing

Experience with testing refrigeration systems

Compensation and Benefits:

Base salary range for this role is $140,000 - $230,000 + equity in the company

Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level

Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity